Iresine plant named ‘Aureo LG’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Iresine  plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by very distinct leaf color of light green with magenta veins; bright magenta petiole and stems; strong stems; and an upright growth habit.

Latin name of the genus and species: Iresine herbstii.

Variety denomination: ‘AUREO LG’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of an induced mutation. ‘AUREO LG’ wasdiscovered as a single plant by Leo van Zanten in March 2005 in acultivated area of Oxnard, Calif. in a greenhouse. Two thousand unrootedcuttings from Iresine herbstii brilliantissima were irradiated withgamma rays at a dose of 25 Gy. Treated cuttings were planted for rootingand growing. Subsequent selection as a single plant from the populationresulted in the discovery of this new variety.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘AUREO LG’ by terminal cuttingswas performed in Oxnard, Calif. and has shown that the unique featuresof this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type on successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘AUREO LG’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘AUREO LG.’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘AUREO LG’ as a new and distinct Iresinecultivar:

-   -   1. Very distinct leaf color of light green with magenta veins;    -   2. Bright magenta petiole and stems;    -   3. Strong stems; and    -   4. Upright growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘AUREO LG’ are similar to plants of theparent variety, Iresine herbstii brilliantissima (not patented) in mosthorticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar‘AUREO LG’ have an upright growth habit compared to the compact growthhabit of the parent. Additionally, the new variety ‘AUREO LG’ has alonger longevity of several weeks compared to the parent. Finally, thenew variety ‘AUREO LG’ has lime green foliage compared to the darkpurple colored foliage of the parent.

In comparison to variety ‘AUREO M’ (U.S. Plant patent application No.11/823,299) ‘AUREO LG’ has lime green foliage with magenta veinscompared to the dark purple foliage with magenta veins of ‘AUREO M’.

In comparison to the commercially available variety ‘Aureo-reticulata’(unpatented) the new cultivar ‘AUREO LG’ has ovate lanceolate shapedleaves compared to the rounded leaves of the unpatented variety‘Aureo-reticulata.’ Also, the stems and the petioles are a brightred-purple compared to the dark red stems and petioles of the unpatentedvariety. Finally, the new cultivar ‘AUREO LG’ has a taller and widerplant habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in the drawing illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘AUREO LG’ grown in a outdoor garden. The colors are asnearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representative of thistype.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘AUREO LG’ plants grown in Oxnard, Calif.during the months of January through April. The growing temperatureranged from 12° C. to 15° C. at night to 12° C. to 20° C. during theday. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalplant types.

-   Botanical classification: Iresine herbstii cultivar ‘AUREO LG.’-   Commercial classification: Bloodleaf.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: 12 days at 22-25° C.-   Time to develop roots: 17 days at 22-25° C.-   Root Description: Fine, fibrous, white in color.

PLANT

-   Plant type: Annual.-   Growth habit: Upright.-   Height: Approximately 29 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 30 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Branching characteristics: Opposite, decussate.-   Number of lateral branches per plant: 5.-   Length of lateral branches: Approximately 18 cm.-   Diameter of lateral Branches: Approximately 0.5 cm.-   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Approximately 30.-   Stem and stem base strength: Strong.-   Stem texture: Lightly pubescent.-   Stem habit: Ascending.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 98 days.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Average length.—Approximately 5.9 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 4.4 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Ovate to ovate lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Oblique.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Margin.—Cleft.        -   Texture of top surface.—Lightly pubescent.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Lightly pubescent.        -   Leaf internode length.—Approximately 7 cm.-   Color:-   Developing foliage on the upper surface:    -   -   Towards the margins.—Near Green 137A.        -   Center.—Near Yellow-Green 154C.        -   Towards the base.—Near Yellow-Green 154D.        -   Venation.—Near Red-Purple 58A.-   Developing foliage on the lower surface:    -   -   Towards the margins.—Near Green 138B.        -   Center.—Near Green 13C.        -   Towards the base.—Near Yellow-Green 154D.        -   Venation.—Near Red-Purple 58A.-   Fully expanded foliage on the upper surface:    -   -   Towards the margins.—Near Green-Yellow 1D.        -   Towards the center.—Near Green 137B.        -   Center.—Near Green 137C and Green-Yellow 1D.        -   Towards the base.—Near Green-Yellow 1D.        -   Venation.—Near Red-Purple 63A.-   Fully expanded foliage on the lower surface:    -   -   Towards the margins.—Near Green-Yellow 1D.        -   Towards the center.—Near Green 138B.        -   Center.—Near Green 138C and Green-Yellow 1D.        -   Towards the base.—Near Green-Yellow 1D.        -   Venation.—Near Red-Purple 63A.-   Petiole:    -   -   Average length.—Approximately 2.7 cm.        -   Color.—Near Red-Purple 63A.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 cm.

FLOWER

-   ‘AUREO LG’ does not produce flowers.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.-   Drought tolerance cold tolerance: Plants are hardy in the    approximate range of 3° C. to 6° C., depending upon duration of cold    and amount of moisture in the soil. With adequate water plants are    hardy to a high temperature of 45° C.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Iresine plant named ‘AUREO LG’ asherein illustrated and described.